Vibration absorber jack
A vibration absorber jack including a tripod type base, a jack, an absorber positioning mechanism, and a vibration absorber holder. The jack is attached to the base, the absorber positioning mechanism disposed on top of the jack; and, the vibration absorber holder attached to the absorber positioning mechanism such that the vibration absorber holder can be positioned and moved by the absorber positioning mechanism.
Latest The United States of America as represented by the Secrectary of the Navy Patents:
The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.
BACKGROUNDThe present invention relates to a vibration absorber jack. More specifically, but without limitation, the present invention relates to a vibration absorber jack for the installation and removal of cabin vibration absorbers in aircraft.
Aircraft, specifically military helicopters, have cabin vibration absorbers. Cabin vibration absorbers are typically defined, but without limitation, as mechanisms that minimize or take in aircraft cabin vibrations without echo, recoil, or reflection. Cabin vibration absorbers are commonly used in helicopters and are typically disposed in the cabin overhead above passengers or cargo. Military helicopters, specifically the Navy's MH-60S helicopter, utilize a 140-pound vibration absorber. Because of the continuous and the strenuous use by the military these vibration absorbers must often be changed or repaired. The current method to install vibration absorbers includes utilizing a minimum of three people, two to lift and position the absorber, and one to align the bolts with corresponding anchor nuts. This process may take a period of time, causing fatigue to the installers. This procedure can cause potential harm to the installers and/or damage to the aircraft. Utilizing this procedure, the bolts may be improperly installed or misaligned. Furthermore, misalignment between the bolts has caused bolt shear failure that can cause harm to passengers and/or damage to cargo or the aircraft.
Thus, there is a need in the art to provide a method or mechanism that incorporates the listed benefits without the limitations inherent in present methods. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a vibration absorber jack which helps install a vibration absorber.
SUMMARYThe instant invention is directed to a vibration absorber jack that satisfies the needs enumerated above and below.
The present invention is directed to a vibration absorber jack that includes a tripod type base, a jack, an absorber positioning mechanism, and a vibration absorber holder. The jack is attached to the base; the absorber positioning mechanism is disposed on top of the jack; and, the vibration absorber holder is attached to the absorber positioning mechanism such that the vibration absorber holder can be positioned and moved by the absorber positioning mechanism.
The present invention is directed to a vibration absorber jack that allows one person to install a vibration absorber.
It is an object of the invention to provide a vibration absorber jack that minimizes bolt misalignment in the installation of vibration absorbers.
It is an object of the invention to provide a vibration absorber jack that provides for safe installation of a vibration absorber.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims, and accompanying drawings wherein:
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example below and in
In the discussion of the present invention, the invention will be discussed in a military helicopter environment; however, this invention can be utilized for any type of need that requires a jack, specifically, but without limitation, in the installation of a vibration absorber.
A tripod type base 100 is typically defined, but without limitation, as a three legged support or stand. As seen in
A jack 200 is typically defined, but without limitation, as a device that lifts heavy objects short heights, using various mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic methods. The preferred type of jack 200 is a ball-screw jack 200. A ball-screw jack 200 typically features a heavy-duty screw/nut drive system utilizing a series of bearing balls between the screw and nut to improve the screw's mechanical efficiency and wear life. As seen in
As seen in
The vibration absorber jack 10 may include a collar 500. The collar 500 may envelop a portion of the the jack shaft 202. Each leg 101 may be rotatably attached to the collar 500. As seen in
As shown in
The pivoting assembly main bracket 301 may include two bracket legs 307. As seen in
As seen in
The vibration absorber jack 10 may also include a pivoting assembly handle 312. The pivoting assembly handle 312 moves the linkage(s) 305 such that the vibration absorber holder 400 may be angled and angularly adjusted.
The vibration absorber holder 400 may be a substantially flat surface that can balance and hold the vibration absorber. As seen in
When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.
Claims
1. A vibration absorber jack for installing vibration absorbers in aircraft, the vibration absorber jack, comprising:
- a tripod type base;
- a ball-screw jack, the ball-screw jack attached to the tripod type base, the ball-screw jack includes a jack wheel for adjusting height of the ball-screw jack;
- a pivoting assembly, the pivoting assembly disposed on top of the ball-screw jack, the jack wheel able to adjust the height of the pivoting assembly, the pivoting assembly including a pivoting assembly main bracket, a first pivoting assembly bracket, a second pivoting assembly bracket, a stabilizer, and a linkage; the first pivoting assembly bracket slidably attached to the pivoting assembly main bracket, the linkage and the stabilizer rotatably attached to the pivoting assembly main bracket, the linkage rotatably attached to the second pivoting assembly bracket, the stabilizer rotatably attached to the linkage; and,
- a vibration absorber holder, the vibration absorber holder attached to the first pivoting assembly bracket and the second pivoting assembly bracket such that the vibration absorber holder can be positioned and moved by the pivoting assembly.
2. The vibration absorber jack of claim 1, the pivoting assembly main bracket including a slot, the first pivoting assembly bracket slidable attached to the pivoting assembly main bracket via the slot.
3. The vibration absorber jack of claim 2, wherein the pivoting assembly main bracket includes two bracket legs, the pivoting assembly main bracket being an angle bracket with an angle between the bracket legs at least 90 degrees but no more than 180 degrees.
4. The vibration absorber jack of claim 3, wherein the stabilizer is a two-link system, including a first stabilizer link and a second stabilizer link, the stabilizer allows upward, downward, and angular movement of the vibration absorber holder, the first stabilizer link and the second stabilizer link are rotatably attached to each other.
5. The vibrator absorber jack of claim 4, wherein the pivoting assembly further includes a handle for adjusting the pivoting assembly and adjusting the position of the vibration absorber holder.
6. The vibrator absorber jack of claim 5, wherein the ball-screw jack also includes a worm gear assembly and a jack shaft, the worm gear assembly, the jack wheel and the jack shaft communicate with each other such that when turning the jack wheel the worm gear assembly adjusts heightness of the jack shaft.
7. The vibrator absorber jack of claim 6, wherein the tripod type base includes three legs and tripod levers, the tripod levers are attached to each leg and slidably attached to the jack shaft such that the legs may be folded together.
8. The vibrator absorber jack of claim 7, wherein the vibration absorber jack further includes a collar, the collar is slidably disposed over the jack shaft, each leg is rotatably attached to the collar.
9. The vibrator absorber jack of claim 8, wherein the pivoting assembly includes two pivoting assembly main brackets, two first pivoting assembly brackets, two second pivoting assembly brackets, two stabilizers, and two linkages.
10. A vibration absorber jack for installing vibration absorbers in aircraft, the vibration absorber jack, comprising:
- a tripod type base;
- a ball-screw jack, the ball-screw jack attached to the tripod type base, the ball-screw jack includes a jack wheel for adjusting the ball-screw jack;
- two pivoting assemblies, the pivoting assemblies substantially parallel to each other and disposed on top of the ball-screw jack, the jack wheel able to adjust heightness of the pivoting assemblies, each pivoting assembly including a pivoting assembly main bracket, a first pivoting assembly bracket, a second pivoting assembly bracket, a stabilizer, and a linkage; the first pivoting assembly bracket slidably attached to the pivoting assembly main bracket, the linkage and the stabilizer rotatably attached to the pivoting assembly main bracket, the linkage rotatably attached to the second pivoting assembly bracket, the stabilizer rotatably attached to the linkage;
- a stabilizing block disposed between the two pivoting assemblies; and,
- a vibration absorber holder, the vibration absorber holder attached to each first pivoting assembly bracket and each second pivoting assembly bracket such that the vibration absorber holder can be positioned and moved by the pivoting assemblies; and,
- a handle for adjusting the pivoting assemblies and adjusting the position of the vibration absorber holder.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Sep 12, 2003
Date of Patent: Dec 5, 2006
Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secrectary of the Navy (Washington, DC)
Inventor: Corby Vincent Hall (Chula Vista, CA)
Primary Examiner: Lee D. Wilson
Attorney: Mark O. Glut
Application Number: 10/661,858
International Classification: B66F 3/08 (20060101);